Report: Panthers sign backup linebacker Jared Norris to 2-year deal

The Carolina Panthers are keeping one of their core special teams players in the fold. According to a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, the team has signed backup linebacker Jared Norris to a two-year contract extension. Rapoport does not have the full financial details, but the deal is reported to have included a $150,000 signing bonus.

Norris went undrafted after playing his college football at Utah. The Panthers first picked him up in May of 2016. Since then, he’s played in 28 games. Carolina has been one of the most fortunate teams in the NFL in terms of linebacker depth in recent years, so he hasn’t had to play much on defense.

The #Panthers agreed to terms on a 2-year contract with LB and special teamer Jared Norris, source said. Norris, who finished the year on Injured Reserve, got $150K to sign.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 3, 2019

Instead, Norris has earned his living on special teams. He only played 52 special teams snaps last season due to a toe injury he suffered at practice in October, but in his first two years he played a total of 474.